Page 112 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
“I can do that without you pulling out all the daisies in Hyde Park,” Laurence quipped as he arrived with the basket of food. His smile was warm and genuine—everything Edith had missed during their separation.
“Papa!” Tilly cried out, scrambling up to hug his leg.
“Whoa!” He laughed as she nearly knocked him over. “Be careful, Tilly.”
“Show me how to do it!” Tilly demanded. “Show me! Show me!”
“Once you have sat down, young lady!” Laurence chided gently.
Tilly giggled and sat with crossed legs on the blanket, beaming at her parents.
Laurence sat down, putting down the basket of food. He pulled out savory pies for each of them. Edith smiled and took one, then watched Laurence show Tilly how to wrap the long daisy stems around each other, forming a long chain stuffed with flowers. Tilly was smiling and giggling the whole time as she followed her father’s careful instructions.
Edith watched them, carefully eating her food. Laurence wasn’t the cold man she had first married. He was now softer, kinder to her and Tilly. The servants had noticed the changes too. Abigail, who was bringing drinks from the carriage, hadn’t stopped smiling since the family returned.
“Is that him?” someone nearby asked. It was clear they were trying, and failing, to be quiet.
Edith glanced over her shoulder to see two ladies talking behind their fans.
“Yes, I believe so,” the other lady replied.
Edith tensed, praying Laurence wouldn’t hear them, thinking the worst.
“That is the man who punched Lord Hargrove?” the first lady asked.
Edith pursed her lips to stop herself from laughing.
“Indeed.” The second lady nodded gravely. “Good on him. Someone had to handle that snake of a man, eventually.”
Edith turned back to her family, her shoulders shaking as she held in her laughter.
Laurence looked up and raised an eyebrow. “What has made you so amused, my love?” he asked.
“I heard someone talking,” she replied. “It seems you’re now more well-known for the incident with Lord Hargrove than your scars.”
Laurence grinned. “Well, that’s good to know. And I do think that more misfortune may be coming his way.”
“Really?” Edith’s eyebrows flew up.
“Indeed.” Laurence nodded. “I heard that his deal on some houses in the East End went sour.”
“Oh my,” Edith gasped. “Any idea why?”
“Some say that he did not have the funds to wrap up the deal,” Laurence replied.
Edith bit her cheek to stop herself from laughing. “I am sure that will not reflect well within the peerage,” she said.
“Indeed. Last I heard, he is starting to lose a few friends,” Laurence added.
“Well, we already don’t plan to invite him to another event.” Edith shrugged.
Laurence nodded with a chuckle.
“Papaaaa…” Tilly pouted, looking up at him. “I’m stuck.”
Laurence’s expression softened.
“Let me have a look,” he said, inspecting the daisy chain. “Ah, you’re so close! You just twisted these ones the wrong way.”
